Rahm Favorite at Memorial, Other Golfers Offer Better Value

Jon Rahm is the favorite going into this week’s Memorial Tournament, but other wagers are more attractive for bettors.

Is Jon Rahm about to finish what he started at the 2021 Memorial Tournament?

Last year, the Spaniard had a six-stroke lead after 54 holes at Jack Nicklaus’ event at Muirfield Village, then was told he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was forced to withdraw.

Rahm didn’t get the chance to defend his 2020 victory at the event. How much motivation does Rahm have to mop up some unfinished business?

He shouldn’t need it. Rahm is +750 favorite to win this week. Rory McIlroy is next at +800.

**Odds* to Win Memorial Tournament**

Jon Rahm +750
Rory McIlroy +800
Patrick Cantlay +1200
Xander Schauffele +1400
Matt Fitzpatrick +1600
Shane Lowry +1800
Jordan Spieth +2000
Cameron Smith +2000
Viktor Hovland +2200
Collin Morikawa +2200
Will Zalatoris +2800
Hideki Matsuyama +2800
Im Sungjae +3300
Joaquin Niemann +3300
Cameron Young +4000
Max Homa +4000
Mito Pereira +4500
Billy Horschel +4500
Davis Riley +4500
Corey Conners +4500

*Odds courtesy of BetRivers

Will Rahm win, or will somebody else take the Memorial Tournament Trophy? What about side bets? We take a look at possible winners, as well as some proposition bets.

Golf fans, create a new player account at BetRivers, and your first deposit will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $250. Start today!

Contenders to Back

Jon Rahm +750

Rahm has ruled this tournament the last two years and probably would have won the Memorial Tournament last year if not for contracting Covid-19. Rahm is again in winning form. He captured the Mexico Open the first week of May, finished second at the Tournament of Champions and tied for third at the Farmers Insurance Open earlier in the year.

Before he was forced to withdraw, the world’s No. 2 ranked player carded an 8-under par 64 to go 18-under par, both of which tied the Memorial Tournament record. He’ll be ready to win this event for the second time in three years.

Rory McIlroy +800

McIlroy has played so-so at this event, but his recent golf this season might make him worth a look. The Irishman has finished second in the Masters, fifth in the Wells Fargo Championship, and eighth at the PGA Championship.

Still, McIlroy always seems to have that one round in a tournament that derails his chance to win. At the Wells Fargo, it was a second-round 73. At last month’s PGA Championship, it was a third-round 74.

Xander Schauffele +1400

This is the longshot to take this week. Xander Schauffele tied for 11th here last year and has added two other Top 15s. His play in recent weeks has been encouraging. He won with Patrick Cantlay in New Orleans in April.

Since that victory, Schauffele finished tied for fifth at the AT&T Byron Nelson in the middle of May and was tied for 13th at the PGA Championship two weeks ago.

Bet up to $1,100 risk-free at Caesars Sportsbook. If your first bet doesn’t win, you’ll get that amount back as a free bet on future wagers.

Prop Bets to Consider

#1. Will there be a playoff?

Yes +333. This tournament is usually very close. Since 2014, there have been five playoffs. Last year, Collin Morikawa and Cantlay ended 72 holes tied at 13-under par. Cantlay prevailed on the first extra hole to win for the second time in three years. Betting the “yes” to whether there will be a playoff gives +333 odds at BetMGM. That’s too good to pass up.

#2. Matt Fitzpatrick Top 5 +500

Matt Fitzpatrick is at +1600 to win the Memorial, but being winless on the PGA Tour, I think this field might be a bit too strong for him. But I do think he’ll be in the mix. Fitzpatrick finished third at the Memorial in 2020 and finished tied for fifth at the PGA Championship. In his last event before the PGA Championship, he tied for second at the Wells Fargo Championship. The line for Fitzpatrick to finish in the Top 5 is +500. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him there on Sunday.

#3. Davis Riley Top 10 +500

Davis Riley has been tearing it up in his inaugural season. The PGA Tour rookie has four Top 10s in his last five starts. The one tournament he didn’t make the top 10 was the PGA Championship, where he finished tied for 13th. In March, he came close to getting his first victory when he finished second in the Valspar Championship. Riley’s consistency as of late could be a boon to bettors. He’s getting +500 to finish in the top 10 at the Memorial and even though he’s never played in the event, Riley could be undervalued here.

Start with a risk-free bet of up to $1,000 when you sign up to wager at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks.

Watch the Memorial Tournament

The 2022 Memorial Tournament is Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5 at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin.

The Golf Channel will carry live coverage from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Golf Channel will start the coverage from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET, with CBS finishing the day from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

PGA Tour Live streaming coverage on ESPN+ takes place from 8:15 a.m. ET to 7 p.m. ET, Thursday through Sunday. Sign up today for fuboTV. Watch Live or Stream – sign up here.